Closure

ABSTRACT

A closure ( 1 ) for a beverage container may have a base cap ( 2 ) for securing to the container and a detachable over-cap ( 3 ) for protecting a valve member ( 10 ) providing an outlet through which a beverage can be dispensed. The over-cap ( 3 ) has an array of holes ( 21 ) providing airways through the over-cap ( 3 ) to prevent choking if the over-cap ( 3 ) is accidentally swallowed and lodges in the throat in any orientation. The holes ( 21 ) are arranged to permit through flow of air in any orientation of the over-cap ( 3 ). The over-cap ( 3 ) may also be provided with ribs ( 14 ) or channels providing airways to allow flow of air around the outside of the cap ( 3 ) if swallowed and lodging in the throat.

The present invention relates to closures for containers such asbottles. More particularly, the invention concerns closures which can beused to dispense the contents of the container, for example a beverage.

Traditionally, beverage containers are provided with screw caps whichcan be removed to open an outlet through which the beverage can bepoured into a glass or similar receptacle when it is desired to consumethe beverage. The screw cap is then re-fitted to close and seal theoutlet and prevent leakage of any beverage remaining in the containerand/or to prevent contamination/deterioration of the beverage.

The outlet permits a fairly high flow of the beverage when open and itis not practical to drink directly from the container. Recently,closures have been developed which include a valve for dispensing thecontents of a container to which the closure is attached withoutremoving the closure.

The valve is operable to open an outlet in the closure which the usercan place in the mouth to drink the contents directly from thecontainer. The valve is designed to provide a lower flow rate which theuser can swallow without spilling the contents. The valve is alsooperable to close the outlet allowing the user to seal the containerwhen it is desired to save the contents of the container for futureconsumption.

Providing the container with a closure which permits the contents to beconsumed directly from the container by placing part of the closure inthe mouth requires high standards of cleanliness to avoid health risksfrom contamination of the closure.

Accordingly, it is usual for this type of closure to have a cover thatfits over the outlet and protects it from contamination when the valveis closed. The cover is removable when it is desired to open the valveto consume the contents of the container and is re-fitted again when thevalve is closed.

The cover is a fairly small item and can give rise to a risk of chokingif swallowed accidentally. This is a particular danger with children.The present invention is intended to solve this problem and has for itsobject the provision of a closure with a removable cover for an outletin the closure which reduces the risk of choking if swallowed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided aclosure for a container wherein the closure has an outlet that isoperable to dispense a liquid from a container to which the closure issecured, and a removable cover for the outlet wherein the cover isprovided with means forming an airway to prevent choking if the cover isswallowed.

The means forming the airway may be one or more apertures in the coverthat allow the flow of air through the cover if it is swallowed andbecomes lodged in the throat.

Preferably, the cover has an end wall that overlies the outlet and askirt depending from the end wall in which the or each aperture isformed. In this way, the end wall prevents contamination of the outletwhen the cover is in position, and the or each aperture allows air toflow through the cover if it is swallowed and becomes lodged in thethroat.

Advantageously, the or each aperture is arranged to permit airflowthrough the cover in either of two mutually perpendicular directions. Inthis way, the risk of choking is avoided whether the cover becomeslodged in an upright or sideways orientation.

Preferably a plurality of apertures are provided spaced apart in acircumferential direction whereby one or more apertures is open in anyorientation of the cover. The apertures may be of any size or shapeand/or arranged in any pattern capable of providing sufficient airflowto allow comfortable breathing in any orientation of the cover. Forexample, the cover may be provided with apertures to produce an airflowof at least 8 litres/minute. In one arrangement, eight apertures areprovided, uniformly spaced apart in a circumferential direction.

Advantageously, the or each aperture communicates with a recessedportion in the outer surface of the skirt that extends to the end wall.In this way, the aperture is not blocked if the cover becomes lodged inan upright orientation with the skirt contacting the throat. As aresult, the aperture remains open and air can flow through the cover inboth directions via the aperture and recessed portion.

Alternatively or additionally to airflow through the cover, the covermay be provided with one or more external formations that allow the flowof air around the outside of the cover if it is swallowed and becomeslodged in the throat.

Thus, the or each external formation may comprise a groove in the skirtthat extends from the end wall to the open end of the cover providing achannel in the outer surface of the skirt so that air can flow past thecover in both directions. The or each groove may include the recessedportion communicating with an aperture in the skirt.

Alternatively, the or each external formation may comprise a rib thatprojects outwardly from the skirt to space the skirt from a surfacecontacted by the rib. In this way, an air-way is formed either side ofthe rib so that air can flow past the cover in both directions.

Advantageously, multiple air-ways are formed extending axially from theend wall to the other, open end of the cover by a plurality of ribsprojecting outwardly from the skirt and spaced apart in acircumferential direction.

In one arrangement, one aperture is provided between each pair ofadjacent ribs. In another arrangement, one aperture is provided betweenalternate pairs of adjacent ribs. Other arrangements of apertures andribs that may be employed to provide a suitable flow of air if the coveris swallowed and becomes lodged in the throat will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art.

Advantageously, the closure comprises a base cap provided with theoutlet for securing to the container and the cover comprises an over-capreleasably secured to the base cap to cover the outlet.

Preferably, a lock ring is provided for initially securing the over-capto the base cap and the over-cap is separable from the lock ring whenthe over-cap is first removed to consume the contents of the container.In this way, the integrity of the closure can be visually checked by theretailer/purchaser of a container to which the closure is secured.

The over-cap may be secured to the lock ring by frangible webs thatrupture when the over-cap is rotated relative to the lock ring. Forexample, the webs may be spaced apart around the open end of theover-cap, and the lock ring and base cap may have interengageableformations to prevent rotation of the lock ring relative to the basecap.

Advantageously, the over-cap fits over the outlet in the base cap andthe base cap has a stepped portion on which the over-cap is aninterference fit to secure the over-cap when separated from the lockring. In this way, the over-cap can be removed and re-fitted as desired.

The interference fit may be a simple friction fit. Alternatively, theinterference fit may be a snap fit to retain positively the over-cap andprovide a tactile indication to the user that the over-cap has beencorrectly secured. For example, the over-cap may be provided with aninternal flange or similar formation arranged to snap engage a groove inthe stepped portion.

Preferably, the base cap has an internal screw thread co-operable withan external screw thread on a neck of the container for securing theclosure to the container and allowing the closure to be removed if it isdesired to empty or fill the container through an opening defined by theneck.

Advantageously, a lock ring is provided for initially securing the basecap to the container and the base cap is separable from the lock ringwhen the base cap is first removed from the container. In this way, theintegrity of the closure can be visually checked by theretailer/purchaser of a container to which the closure is secured.

The base cap may be secured to the lock ring by frangible webs thatrupture when the base cap is rotated relative to the lock ring. Forexample, the webs may be spaced apart around the open end of the basecap, and the lock ring and container may have interengageable formationsto prevent rotation of the lock ring relative to the container.

Preferably, the outlet is provided in a head of a valve member movablebetween a first position in which the outlet is closed and a securedposition in which the outlet is open to allow the contents of thecontainer to be consumed through the outlet with the base cap attachedto the container.

Advantageously, the apertures in the skirt are spaced from the end wallso that, when the over-cap is fitted over the valve member, theapertures are positioned below the head of the valve member. In thisway, the outlet is protected from contamination by any fluid enteringthe over-cap via the apertures in the skirt.

Preferably, the valve member prevents the over-cap being attached to thebase cap when the outlet is open. In this way, the outlet must be closedboth when initially assembling the closure and, in use, when re-fittingthe over-cap to cover the outlet. As a result, the risk of spillage orleakage occurring by fitting the over-cap with the outlet open isavoided.

Advantageously, the base cap and over-cap are mouldings of food-gradeplastics, for example low density or high density polyethylene orpolypropylene. The over-cap is preferably made of clear plastics so thatthe outlet is visible through the over-cap and any contamination of theoutlet can be seen. This is not essential, however, and the over-cap maybe made of coloured plastics. Likewise, the base-cap may be made of aclear or coloured plastics that may match or contrast with the over-cap.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is providedan over-cap for removably covering an outlet in a container for liquids,especially a beverage container, wherein the over-cap is constructed toform an air-way to reduce the risk of choking if swallowed.

Preferably, the over-cap covers the outlet to protect the outlet fromcontamination and is removable when it is desired to consume thecontents of the container.

Advantageously, the outlet is formed in a base cap for securing to thecontainer and the over-cap fits on the base cap to cover the outlet. Thebase cap and over-cap may be initially secured together for assembly ofa closure for fitting to the container with the over-cap beingdetachable from the base cap to expose the outlet when it is desired toconsume the contents of the container. The base cap is preferablyreleasably secured to the container so that the container can be emptiedand/or filled with the closure removed.

These and other features, benefits and advantages of the invention willbe apparent from the description later herein of exemplary embodiments.

The invention will now be described in more detail by way of exampleonly, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a closure embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the closure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the base cap and over-cap of theclosure shown in FIG. 1 with the valve member in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the base cap shown in FIG. 3 with the valvemember in the closed position;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the over-cap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an underneath plan view of the over-cap shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a side view to an enlarged scale and partly in section, of analternative over-cap for use with the base cap of the closure shown inFIGS. 1 to 3:

FIG. 8 is a side view of the over-cap shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the over-cap shown in FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is an underneath plan view of the over-cap shown in FIG. 7.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings, a closure1 for attaching to a beverage container such as a bottle (not shown) toclose an outlet in the container is depicted.

The closure 1 comprises a base cap 2 and an over-cap 3. The base cap 2and over-cap 3 are both mouldings of a food grade plastics such as lowdensity or high density polyethylene or polypropylene.

In this embodiment, the base cap 2 is made of coloured plastics and theover-cap 3 is made of clear plastics. This is not essential however andthe base cap 2 and over-cap 3 may be made of matching or contrastingclear or coloured plastics.

The base cap 2 has a cylindrical skirt 4 depending from an end wall 5.The skirt 4 is formed with an internal screw thread (not shown)engageable with a complementary external screw thread (not shown) on aneck of the container to which the closure 1 is to be secured.

The skirt 4 has finger grips in the form of circumferentially spacedaxial serrations 6 to facilitate rotation of the base cap 2 for securingthe closure 1 to the container.

The base cap 2 is provided with a annular lock ring 7 secured by webs 8to the open end of the skirt 4 remote from the end wall 5. The lock ring7 is moulded integrally with the base cap 2 from the same plasticsmaterial.

The lock ring 7 is formed with internal teeth (not shown) that ride overannular ribs (not shown) on the neck of the container when the base cap2 is rotated in a direction to secure the closure 1 to the container.

The teeth engage behind the ribs and resist removal of the closure 1 byrotating the base cap 2 in the opposite direction until the webs 8rupture separating the base cap 2 from the lock ring 7. As a result, theclosure 1 can be removed from the container leaving the lock ring 7 inplace on the neck of the container and can be re-secured if desired.

The lock ring 7 provides a visual indication of the condition of theclosure 1 and in particular whether the closure 1 has been removed fromthe container after fitting to the container. In this way, consumers andretailers can readily identify containers where the contents may havebeen tampered with by removal and re-fitting of the closure 1.

The base cap 2 also has a tubular upstand 9 extending from the end wall5 in which a valve member 10 is slidably mounted. The valve member 10has an enlarged annular head 11 formed with a central hole (not shown).The hole forms an outlet through which the contents of the container canbe dispensed with the base cap 2 secured to the container.

The upstand 9 is formed with an internal plug (not shown) that is)-received in the hole to close the outlet in a first end position ofthe valve member 10 (FIG. 4). The valve member 10 is manually slidablebetween the first end position and a second end position (FIG. 3) inwhich the plug is withdrawn from the hole to open the outlet.

The upstand 9 and valve member 10 are shaped so that the contents of thecontainer can be consumed directly by placing the outlet in the mouth ofthe user with the valve member 10 in the open position. In this way theuser does not have to pour the contents of the container into a cup orsimilar receptacle for consumption.

The hole and plug are shaped to provide a low rate of flow which allowsthe user to consume the contents of the container easily when the outletis positioned in the mouth. A higher rate of flow can be obtained, forexample when dispensing the contents of the container into a cup orsimilar receptacle, by removing the closure 1 and pouring the contentsthrough the outlet formed by the neck of the container.

As will now be appreciated, the closure 1 enables the contents of thecontainer to which it is secured to be dispensed either through theoutlet in the head 11 of the valve member 10 with the base cap 2attached to the container or through the outlet in the neck of thecontainer by removing the closure 1. The end user can choose the methodof dispense according to circumstances and personal preference.

It will also be readily apparent that drinking directly from the outletin the head 11 of the valve member 10 presents a potential hygiene riskto the end user if the head 11 and upstand 9 are contaminated in anyway, for example by dirt. To reduce this risk, the closure 1 includesover-cap 3 which covers the outlet in the head 11 and is removable whenit is desired to consume the contents of the container.

The over-cap 3 has a cylindrical skirt 12 depending from an end wall 13.The skirt 12 is formed on the outer surface with eight axially extendingribs 14 uniformly spaced in a circumferential direction. Each rib 14extends the full height of the skirt 12 from the open end to a shoulderregion 15 connecting the skirt 12 to end wall 13.

The over-cap 3 is provided with an annular lock ring 16 having aninternal flange 17 at one end attached to the open end of the over-cap 3via the ribs 14. The lock ring 16 is moulded integrally with theover-cap 3 from the same plastics material.

The lock ring 16 is a push fit on a base portion 9 a of the upstand 9 tocover the upstand 9 and valve member 10. An internal annular lip (notshown) snap engages an annular groove 18 in the base portion 9 a tosecure the over-cap 3 to the base cap 2.

The lock ring 16 is further provided with internal teeth 16 a thatengage teeth 19 on the base portion 9 a to prevent rotation of the lockring 16 relative to the base cap 2.

In this way, twisting the over-cap 3 in either direction will cause theconnections between the ribs 14 and the flange 17 to rupture allowingthe over-cap 3 to be detached from the base cap 2 when it is desired toopen the outlet in the head 11 of the valve member 10 to consume theliquid in the container.

The open end of the over-cap 3 is an interference friction fit on astepped portion 9 b of the upstand 9 such that the over-cap 3 can bere-fitted when the outlet in the head 11 is closed so as to cover theupstand 9 and valve member 10.

In this way, the over-cap 3 provides protection against contamination ofthe upstand 9 and valve member 10 both when the closure 1 is initiallyfitted to the container and, in use, when the outlet in the head 11 isclosed.

The length of the skirt 12 is such that, if the over-cap 3 isre-positioned on the upstand 9 with the valve member 10 in the openposition, the skirt 12 is clear of the stepped portion 9 b. As a result,the over-cap 3 cannot be re-secured and is a loose fit on the head 11 ofthe valve member 10.

In this way, a visual and tactile indication is provided to the userthat the valve member 10 is in the open position and that the valvemember 10 should be moved to the closed position in order to secure theover-cap 3.

As a result, the risk of the user leaving the closure 1 with the outletin the head 11 open is reduced.

The over-cap 3 is a relatively small, lightweight item which ifswallowed accidentally or inadvertently could become lodged in thethroat causing a blockage that could lead to choking, especially in thecase of young children.

Accidental or inadvertent swallowing is a particular problem if usersremove the over-cap 3 and move the valve member 10 to the open positionwith their teeth to avoid contaminating the over-cap 3 and, moreimportantly the head 11 of the valve member 10 with dirty hands.

The over-cap 3 of the present invention is constructed to reduce therisk of choking if the over-cap 3 is swallowed or becomes lodged in thethroat.

To this end, the over-cap 3 is formed in the outer surface of the endwall 13 with eight circumferentially spaced recessed portions 20 oftriangular shape in plan view. The recessed portions 20 extend throughthe shoulder region 15 between adjacent pairs of ribs 14 and terminatein apertures 21 in the skirt 12 spaced from the end wall 13.

The apertures 21 are constructed and arranged to provide substantiallyunrestricted flow of air between the interior and exterior of theover-cap 3 in two mutually perpendicular directions.

Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the apertures 21 form D-shaped openingsin side view allowing free flow of air in a direction transverse to thelongitudinal axis of the over-cap 3 as indicated by the arrow A in FIG.1.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the apertures 21 formrectangular shaped openings in plan view allowing free flow of air in adirection parallel to the longitudinal axis of the over-cap 3 asindicated by the arrow B in FIG. 1.

With this arrangement of the apertures 21 air can flow freely throughthe over-cap 3 to prevent choking if the over-cap 3 is swallowed andsticks in the throat in both upright (normal or inverted) and sidewaysorientations.

More particularly, in the upright (normal and inverted) orientation, therectangular shaped openings are clear and allow flow of air through theover-cap 3 to prevent choking. In the sideways orientation, D-shapedopenings on opposite sides of the over-cap 3 are clear and allow flow ofair through the over-cap 3 to prevent choking.

In addition to the airways through the over-cap 3 provided by theapertures 21, the external ribs 14 act as spacers for the skirt 12 ifthe over-cap 3 becomes lodged in the throat in an upright (normal orinverted) orientation. As a result, air-ways are formed on each side ofthe ribs 14 that extend between opposite ends of the over-cap 3 andallow air to flow in both directions around the outside of the over-cap3.

In a modification (not shown), the triangular shaped recessed portions20 in the end wall 13 may be interconnected so as to provide a path forair to flow around the cap 3 if it becomes lodged in the throat in asideways orientation.

In another modification (not shown), the recessed portions 20 may extendfrom the end wall 13 to the other end of the over-cap 3 to providechannels for air to flow in both directions around the outside of theover-cap 3. Such channels may be provided in addition to or in place ofthe ribs 14.

In yet another modification (not shown), the recessed portions 20 may bean interference fit on the head 11 of the valve member 10 to securereleasably the over-cap 3 to the base cap 2. Such interference fit maybe used when re-fitting the over-cap 3 after the initial locationprovided by the lock ring 16 has been ruptured. The interference fit maybe a simple friction fit. Alternatively, a snap fit may be employed togive a positive tactile indication to the user when the over-cap 3 hasbeen correctly secured.

As will now be appreciated the invented over-cap 3 covers the outlet inthe valve head 11 when fitted to the base part 2 to preventcontamination and reduces the risk of choking if swallowed when removedfrom the base part 2.

Thus, when the over-cap 3 is fitted to the base part 2, the apertures 21open below the underside of the valve head 11 to protect the outlet. Inaddition, when the over-cap 3 is removed from the base part 2, theapertures 21 allow air to flow in both directions through the over-cap 3in either an upright or sideways orientation. Moreover, ribs 14 air toflow around the outside of the over-cap 3.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 to 10, an alternative over-cap for use with thebase cap of the previous embodiment is shown in which like referencenumbers in the series 100 are used to indicate parts corresponding tothe previous embodiment.

In this modification, the over-cap 103 has a skirt 112 formed with fourapertures 121 uniformly spaced apart in a circumferential direction.Each aperture 121 communicates with a recessed portion 120 that extendsto the shoulder region 115 so that air can flow in both directionsthrough the over-cap 3 as described previously.

The apertures 121 are provided between alternate pairs of adjacent ribs114 that act to space the outer surface of the skirt 112 from a surfacecontacted by the ribs 114. In this way, the ribs 114 create a pathallowing air to flow in both directions around the outside of theover-cap 103 as described previously.

In other respects, the construction and operation of this alternativeversion of the over-cap 103 is similar to that of the previousembodiment and will be readily understood from the description alreadyprovided. The internal lip for securing the lock ring 116 to the basecap can be seen in FIG. 7 and is indicated by reference numeral 122.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiments are intendedto illustrate the application of the invented closure and that featuresof the embodiments may be used separately or in combination with anyother feature of the same or different embodiments to produce a closurewith an over-cap that reduces the risk of choking if swallowed.

Moreover, while the specific materials and/or construction of theclosures )e described and illustrated are believed to represent the bestmeans currently known to the applicant, it will be appreciated that theinvention is not limited thereto and that various modifications andimprovements can be made without departing from the principle or conceptof the invention to reduce the risk of choking if the over-cap isswallowed by constructing the over-cap to provide a path for air to flowthrough or around the over-cap in both directions irrespective of theorientation in which the over-cap may become lodged in the throat.

For example, the number, position or shape of the apertures and/orexternal ribs may be varied from that shown to provide any desiredairflow characteristics. Generally an airflow of at least 8litres/minute is suitable but we may wish to provide a higher airflow byappropriate design of the apertures and/or external ribs. The aperturesand/or external ribs may be replaced by any other suitable formationsthat allow flow of air through or around the over-cap in bothdirections.

1. A closure for a beverage container, wherein the closure has an outletthat is operable to dispense a liquid from a container to which theclosure is secured, and a removable cover for the outlet, the cover hasan end wall that overlies the outlet and a skirt depending from the endwall, and is provided with at least one aperture wherein the aperture isprovided in the skirt spaced from the end wall such that the coverprotects the outlet from contamination and the aperture forms an airwayto prevent choking if the cover is swallowed.
 2. A closure according toclaim 1 wherein the aperture is arranged to permit airflow through thecover in either of two mutually perpendicular directions.
 3. A closureaccording to claim 1 wherein a plurality of apertures are providedspaced apart in a circumferential direction whereby one or moreapertures is open in any orientation of the cover.
 4. A closureaccording to claim 3 wherein the apertures produce an airflow of atleast 8 litres/minute.
 5. A closure according to claim 3 wherein eightapertures are provided, uniformly spaced apart in the circumferentialdirection.
 6. A closure according to claim 1 wherein the aperturecommunicates with a recessed portion in the outer surface of the skirtthat extends to the end wall.
 7. A closure according to claim 1 whereinthe cover comprises e at least one external formation that allows theflow of air around the outside of the cover if it is swallowed andbecomes lodged in the throat.
 8. A closure according to claim 7 whereinthe formation comprises a groove in the skirt that extends from the endwall to the open end of the cover providing a channel in the outersurface of the skirt so that air can flow past the cover in bothdirections.
 9. A closure according to claim 8 wherein the aperturecommunicates with a recessed portion in the outer surface of the skirtthat extends to the end wall and the groove includes the recessedportion communicating with an aperture in the skirt.
 10. A closureaccording to claim 9 wherein the external formation comprises a rib thatprojects outwardly from the skirt to space the skirt from a surfacecontacted by the rib providing air-ways on either side of the rib sothat air can flow past the cover in both directions.
 11. A closureaccording to claim 10 wherein multiple air-ways are formed extendingaxially from the end wall to the other, open end of the cover by aplurality of ribs projecting outwardly from the skirt and spaced apartin a circumferential direction.
 12. A closure according to claim 10wherein one aperture is provided between each pair of adjacent ribs. 13.A closure according to claim 11 wherein one aperture is provided betweenalternate pairs of adjacent ribs.
 14. A closure according to claim 1wherein the closure comprises a base cap provided with the outlet forsecuring to the container and the cover comprises an over-cap releasablysecured to the base cap to cover the outlet.
 15. A closure according toclaim 14 wherein a lock ring is provided for initially securing theover-cap to the base cap and the over-cap is separable from the lockring when the over-cap is first removed to consume the contents of thecontainer.
 16. A closure according to claim 15 wherein the over-cap issecured to the lock ring by frangible webs that rupture when theover-cap is rotated relative to the lock ring.
 17. A closure accordingto claim 16 wherein the webs are spaced apart around the open end of theover-cap, and the lock ring and base cap have interengageable formationsto prevent rotation of the lock ring relative to the base cap.
 18. Aclosure according to claim 17 wherein the over-cap fits over the outletin the base cap and the base cap has a stepped portion on which theover-cap is an interference fit to secure the over-cap when separatedfrom the lock ring.
 19. A closure according to claim 18 wherein theinterference fit is a simple friction fit.
 20. A closure according toclaim 18 wherein the interference fit is a snap fit to retain positivelythe over-cap and provide a tactile indication to the user that theover-cap has been correctly secured.
 21. A closure according to claim 20wherein the over-cap is provided with an internal formation arranged tosnap engage a groove in the stepped portion.
 22. A closure according toclaim 14 wherein the base cap has an internal screw thread co-operablewith an external screw thread on a neck of the container for securingthe closure to the container and allowing the closure to be removed ifit is desired to empty or fill the container through an opening definedby the neck.
 23. A closure according to claim 22 wherein a lock ring isprovided for initially securing the base cap to the container and thebase cap is separable from the lock ring when the base cap is firstremoved from the container.
 24. A closure according to claim 23 whereinthe base cap is secured to the lock ring by frangible webs that rupturewhen the base cap is rotated relative to the lock ring.
 25. A closureaccording to claim 24 wherein the webs are spaced apart around the openend of the base cap, and the lock ring and container haveinterengageable formations to prevent rotation of the lock ring relativeto the container.
 26. A closure according to claim 14 wherein the outletis provided in a head of a valve member movable between a first positionin which the outlet is closed and a second position in which the outletis open to allow the contents of the container to be consumed throughthe outlet with the base cap attached to the container.
 27. A closureaccording to claim 26 wherein the aperture apertures in the skirt isspaced from the end wall so that, when the over-cap is fitted over thevalve member, the aperture opens below the head of the valve member. 28.A closure according to claim 26 wherein the valve member prevents theover-cap being attached to the base cap when the outlet is open.
 29. Aclosure according to claim 26, wherein the valve member is slidablymounted in a tubular upstand.
 30. A closure according to claim 14wherein the base cap and over-cap are mouldings of food-grade plastics,for example low density or high density polyethylene or polypropylene.31. A closure according to claim 30 wherein the over-cap is made ofclear plastics.
 32. A closure according to claim 1 in which the apertureis D-Shaped in side view.
 33. A closure according to claim 1 in whichthe aperture is rectangular shaped in plan view.
 34. An over-cap forremovably covering an outlet in a beverage container, wherein theover-cap has an end wall and a skirt depending therefrom, and isprovided with at least one aperture wherein the aperture is provided inthe skirt spaced from the end wall such that the cover protects theoutlet from contamination and the aperture forms an airway to preventchoking if the cover is swallowed.
 35. An over-cap according to claim 34wherein the over-cap covers the outlet to protect the outlet fromcontamination and is removable when it is desired to consume thecontents of the container.
 36. An over-cap according to claim 34 whereinthe outlet is formed in a base cap for securing to the container and theover-cap fits on the base cap to cover the outlet.
 37. An over-capaccording to claim 36 wherein the base cap and over-cap are initiallysecured together for assembly of a closure for fitting to the containerwith the over-cap being detachable from the base cap to expose theoutlet when it is desired to consume the contents of the container. 38.An over-cap according to claim 37 wherein the base cap is releasablysecured to the container so that the container can be emptied and/orfilled with the closure removed.